Google Sites

Link to my site:
Mrs. Barnhart's Class Site

Google Sites is a great tool to use as a teacher.  I can communicate with not only my parents, but my students as well.  The elementary school I will pursue a job at after graduation has a website.  On that website, each grade level teacher has their own website for their class where they give information specifically for their class like schedule, homework, etc.  If I do get hired there, I would definitely use Google Sites to make my classroom site.

I first started with choosing my layout and design. I began by making a home page.  I used the home page as an opening to welcome the students and parents to my site.  I then wanted to create tabs on the side for my different pages.  I had a little bit of trouble with this.  I was able to create a classroom resources, but I wanted to also create other columns for other pages.  Under my classroom resources, I made a class schedule.  I originally made the schedule and tabbed over to make the "special schedule." I then revised my page and created a two column layout so that my special schedule was over to the right separated. 

I then created a calendar.  Originally I inserted a classic Google calendar.  I then decided to revise the calendar and add the American holidays to it, because we would not have school those days.  If it was my real classroom, I would use the calendar to insert any field trips or special activies and tests into it.  The calendar feature is extremely handy to use so that the parents can look ahead and know what will be coming up.  I then added a page for parent resources.  I would edit this page throughout the school year.  I began with the resources for beginning school.  Kindergarten is a big step in both the children and parent's life, so it is good for the parents to have resources on how to prepare their student.

I enjoyed learning about Google Sites.  While it is still completely new to me and I have never ever made a webpage before, I learned quite a bit.  I would definitely want to play around with this more and learn many other features to make my webpage more appealing (mines seems a little dull.)  Overall I like Google Sites and plan on using it in the future.

FORMS

Click on following links to view my work:
TN Quiz
Quiz Responses
Gradebook
(Responses is on Sheet1 and Gradebook is on Sheet2)

Forms is a great tool for teachers.  I was able to create a self-grading quiz by following the handout Dr. Krug gave in class, as well as use the links under Forms for some extra help.  I first created the Quiz.  After creating the quiz, I entered the correct responses.  The, I took the quiz as a student for an example by getting some correct and incorrect.  The answers were then transferred to Spreadsheets and I made additional students and "tested" them.  After I reviewed and made my self-grading quiz, I made a second sheet on Spreadsheets and used it as gradebook.  The hardest part I found was getting the formula to work from moving my grades from one sheet to another.  It took me quite a few hours to get it right, as well as watching numerous YouTube tutorials, but I was finally able to figure it out.  Every time I put "Form Responses 1" it would not transfer it to the other sheet.  I believe once I become more familiar with Spreadsheets and Forms and the different, more complicated formulas (those different than Excel) it would not take me as long to do. 

However, I did feel very accomplished once I completed the quiz and gradebook.  I could definitely see myself using this in the classroom.  Last night at a family cookout, I discussed Forms and Sheets with my Aunt.  She is a 3rd grade teacher at Sevierville Intermediate School and just took a class on Google Apps.  She stated her class is getting Chromebooks this coming year or next.  We discussed using Sheets for a gradebook.  She said she could definitely see using it in her classroom and I showed her what we were working on (Quiz and gradebook.) She stated this help her, because she still had some questions after her class (it was a short class she stated.) She also looked through the Graham book and took notes she could use later in the classroom.  It was neat to get my Aunt's perspective, since she is an active teacher who has taught over 20 years.

Chapter 7 in our Graham book discusses Forms.  Forms can be used in relation to CCCSS in different ways.  The book gives examples that Forms can be used by students to present information in an organized way.  It is also giving students the "use of digital median and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations" (Graham, pg. 117.)  If students were given a project in Science they had to collect data overtime like say a weather project, they could do this using Forms.  Forms is a great tool for both students and teachers.

Augmented Reality

My two favorite non-targeted apps were LiveButterflies and ARHouse.  In LiveButterflies, it was fun to move the iPad around the room to find the butterflies flying around.  The best part was that if you put your finger on the screen, the butterfly would virtually land on you finger.  There were different types of butterflies in the app, which was neat.  If you kept the iPad still, you might not be able to see the butterflies.  This why you have to move the iPad around to find the butterflies throughout the room.  I could see using this app for 5-6 year olds in Kindergarten.  If giving a science lesson about catepillars turning into butterflies, the teacher could discuss this process.  The teacher could then implement this app towards the end of the lesson to show butterflies and them flying around the room.  This would interest children and get them up and moving, as well as giving them a hands on learning experience.

I also enjoyed the ARHouse app.  You could choose different parts of the building to see the different views.  If I chose the top of the building, I could see down below.  If I chose the outside of the building, I could see the landscape and everything outside the building.  It was like you were really there at the building looking at everything in and around that building.  This would be good for a 3rd or 4th grade classroom studying science or even math.  The teacher could use this app to show how math and science is used in construction.  The builders have to know how to put things together as well as have formulas and use numbers to make sure everything is the right length and comes together exactly how it is suppose to.  The teacher could use this app as an example for either of these types of lessons.

My two favorite targeted apps were GWR 2015 and Quiver.  In GWR 2015, you were required to have the book as well as the app.  Once the app was downloaded, you would point the iPad to the specific places it had on the book for the app.  For example, the cover had one and if you pointed the iPad towards it, it was like the book came alive and a huge hand came out of the cover trying to grab you.  Throughout the book different pages had the symbol for the iPad, which made things on that page seem to "come alive."  This app would be a great tool for 2nd grade on up.  The students could be looking and reading this book maybe in a reading time or some designated free time.  The student could feel like he/she was inside and connected to the book with this app.  World records have always interested me, and I believe students would love this app.

I also thought Quiver was a very interesting app.  Quiver has many different coloring sheets a teacher could print off and then the students choose which sheet interests them most and colors it.  Once the sheet is colored, point the iPad towards the sheet and the objects on the sheet come alive.  I chose the Bunny with the robots in the background.  My bunny came alive and was being attacked at the robots.  She was then able to throw carrots at them to defeat them.  I believe this app would be good for students in grades K-2nd.  Coloring practices fine motor skills, and this is an important skill children this age are developing.  The students would also have a result for coloring their page.  They would get to use the app to interact with their coloring page.

I enjoyed using all of these apps related to Augmented Reality.  It was interesting to "place" ourselves inside these apps.

Social Studies Apps- Lincoln Telegrams

I thought this was an interesting app.  It includes over 300 digitized telegram memos written by President Abraham Lincoln himself.  The app allows you to see a copy of the telegram, as well as types the words out incase it is hard to read.  I thought this app could be used in the classroom during Social Studies lessons, especially any lessons about Lincoln.  It shows what his writing looked like, as well as some of the topics they discussed back then.  You could compare some of their problems to those we have today.  A teacher could also discuss how we don't even use telegrams anymore and show the transition into technology we have today like cell phones and email.  I thought this app offered many features to learn about Lincoln, some that could even be incorporated in today's classroom.

Science Apps- The Weather Channel

I already have this app on both my iPhone and iPad.  I never thought about using this app with children or in the classroom.  The app features things like current temperature, future forecast, and a live weather radar.  I am constantly checking this app daily, especially if it looks like it is raining.  I check the radar or see the temperature outside to plan activities.  I could use this app in teaching elementary science in the classroom.  If we were discussing weather and how it changes, I could pull up the weekly forecast.  I could also discuss the live radar and how to read what it is saying.  These are important tools children need to learn to use throughout life.  I love The Weather Channel app and never thought of using it with students, but can see the ways it would be beneficial.

Music Apps- Piano Free

This is another app I will keep on my iPad for my son to use.  I believe Music is very important in a child's life.  I used music to memorize important things as well as an outlet to express myself.  I learned to play the piano when I was 8 years old and took lessons for almost 10 years.  While sometimes I didn't always want to practice, I look back now and am glad I did.  This app features songs that are popular and that children hear on the radio daily.  This could interest the child to want to play this app.  They use their fingers to tap on the circle to play the note for the song.  This lets the child practice their fine motor skills, as well as learn rhythm as to when to tap on the circle.  Music should be fun for children.  Playing piano help me with hand-eye coordination that expanded to my love of sports as well.  My mother says I was able to pick up playing tennis so easily because I had good hand-eye coordination due to playing the piano.  I believe this app is one children would love to use in music class or at home that should help interest them in music.

Mathematics Apps- MathBoard

This is a fun app for students to practice different problems and equations they are learning in Math.  The app is in quiz form, which allows students to see what they know and what they might need to study more.  There is a small section at the bottom students can use to work out any math problems they might need space to write on.  Like in the YouTube tutorial of the app, I agree that the space is too small.  Most students work on math problems going down vertical.  The app does not allow for that.  Forcing the student to work out their problem horizontal could confuse the student.  Overall this would be a great app for students to practice Math problems with in school or even riding in the car.

Language Arts App- Read Me Stories

I really enjoyed this app and downloaded to for my son for when he begins to learn to read.  I like how there is a new book/story everyday.  This way the child does not get bored with reading the same story over and over.  Different stories allow the child to be exposed to different vocabulary also.  The app makes reading fun for the child.  The colors and animations are very eye-catching and inviting for the child.  I could see myself using this app if I was teaching Kindergarten.  If I was in a classroom that had iPads, students could use earphones to listen to the daily story.  This app is a good app for younger students learning to read and relates to the Language Arts CCSS.

Google Docs

Google Docs is similar to Microsoft Word.  Google Docs allows you to not only take notes, but write down anything you would like.  After learning about Google Docs, I could see myself using it instead of Word.  I like how you do not have to constantly save your work.  I also like how it is on Google Drive, and I can access it anywhere I am as long as I have internet.  I do not have to constantly email it to myself.  Like Word, I am able to insert pictures, graphs, and links into my Google Docs.  It has most of the same features as Word.  These are some of Doc's strengths.  The only weaknesses Docs has in my mind is that it is so similar to Word, that some people might just continue to use Word.  That being said, I still think I would switch over to Docs simply for the fact my work is saved on Google Drive and I can access it easier than something in Microsoft Word.

Google Docs also allows you to share your documents with others.  This allows that person to edit and collaborate on your work.  After collaborating my Doc, it was interesting to see someone else's perspective.  This could be useful for students when writing a paper.  They could share it with their classmate or teacher to make sure they are on the right track before they turn it in.  This is something Microsoft Word is not capable of.

Google Docs is tied into CCSS in different ways.  Our Google Apps book talks about a student could be asked to read a book and do a report on it.  They then can take that information and present it using a brochure they made in Docs (Graham, pg. 42.)  This relates to the Language Arts standards and shows students can read and build upon what they read.  They can also retell a story they read using different things.  Google Docs has many great aspects I can use as a teacher but also in my classroom with my students.

Spreadsheets

Mrs. Barnhart's Gradebook (Link to my spreadsheet)

The spreadsheet was not as complicated as I thought it was going to be.  It is very similar to Excel.  I use Excel a lot at my place of work (Accounting for my family's Hospitality Company) and found it not extremely difficult.  Most of the functions and formulas were the same.  Like Excel, you are also able to insert a formula, and then drag ur curser down so it fills in the same formula for other lines you want to have matching formulas.  I found it easy to fill in my information, and then insert the formula to match the answer I was needing.  Everything stayed neat and organized.

I could definitely see myself using this as a gradebook as a teacher.  If you already had the spreadsheet made, all a teacher would have to do is input numbers.  One could even have the formulas already inserted as well.  This makes for a fast and productive way to organize grades.  Being able to save it on the computer is also great for me so I don't have to worry about bringing it with me or losing it.  I can access it anywhere I have internet.

The easiest part of the spreadsheet I thought was the actual formulas.  Most of the formulas were the same so I did not have to look up new ones and learn them.  It is so easy to insert the formula and then just click or click and drag the numbers you want inputted into that formula.  I love how it does all the math for me, so there is less of a chance of a mistake (if all of the numbers and formulas are inputted correctly.)  The one thing that is still not clear to me is wrapping text.  On my grade scale, I wanted to wrap the text so that the text "Grade Scale" was all in one box rather than two.  I had trouble with the "wrapping text" function even in Excel.

Spreadsheets could be used to address CCSS in many different ways.  As a whole, the teacher could use a spreadsheet on the board to show the class average for a quiz or grade.  This shows assessment and if students understand what they are being taught.  Some ways for students to use spreadsheets would be to collect data and input that into a spreadsheet.  They can then use that date to make different charts and scales to show their findings.  Ch. 9 talks about how Mathematical Practice is perfect for spreadsheets and allows students to use critical thinking in their work with spreadsheets (Graham, pg. 93)

I enjoyed using Spreadsheets and can continue to see myself use this in my future teaching career not only as a gradebook, but incorporating it in my teaching as well.  The more I use spreadsheets, the more familiar I will become with it, which will allow me to use it for even more things!

Google Drive/ Presentations

Google Presentations is extremely similar to Microsoft PowerPoint.  The layout for the most part is the same.  I can add slides and change the layout of each slide if I choose.  I can also change the animation of when text appears during my presentation.  I have made many PowerPoints during college for different projects like group presentations and individual presentations.  I have also used them for teaching a lesson plan.  I like how Google Presentations automatically saves my work.  Microsoft PowerPoint does not do this.  Presentations allows you to share with certain people, where as PowerPoint does not.  Google Presentations only allows you to copy, cut, and paste using the keyboard shortcuts.  PowerPoint allows you to do this with the mouse as well.  Overall Presentations and PowerPoint are very similar and I will probably use both in my classroom.

Chapter 5 discusses Presentations.  Presentations are related to common core as they allow students to "present information in clear, concise ways to prepare them for the rigors of communicating to a specific audience" (Graham, pg. 72.)  Common Core State Standards state that students must understand the information taught to them.  They can demonstrate understanding by creating a Presentation about what they learned.  Students could do this individually or in a group setting.  Google Presentations can be implemented into our lesson plans and relate to CCSS in many different ways.

Link to my Google Presentation:
Chelsea Presentation

Google Drawing

I've thoroughly enjoyed playing around with Google Drawing.  I can add different shapes and edit them how I want.  I can also add text.  I could see myself using this in my classroom to make posters, flyers, or newsletters.  I could update it from year to year.  I could implement Google Drawing into my teaching lessons as well.  I could have students develop a flyer or poster for a book report.  They could also use this if they ran for class president and create posters to put up.  There are endless ways to use Google Drawing.

I explored the elementary school lesson- Exploring Shapes.  I thought this was a great lesson and way to incorporate Google Drawing into common core.  Students were given freedom to manipulate the shapes they wanted, yet were given instructions as to what was expected of them.  They were able to expand their vocabulary by the words used in Google Drawing.  They are able to draw, name, and recognize the characteristics of different shapes.  This is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom and meeting common core standards.

Chapter 8 discusses how to use Google Drawing and gives tips to include in Common Core.  Like the exploring shapes lesson plan, chapter 8 gives an example how to explore geometry in math and meet the common core standards.  Students are asked to draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures in seventh grade.  They can use Google Drawing for this to show they can meet the common core standard for this.  Chapter 8 also gives ideas for teachers like creating puzzles for assessing student's knowledge of a standard.  Google Drawing can be implemented in many ways to meet common core standards.

Strip Design App

This app seemed pretty easy to use.  It allowed you to choose a design or template and then add pictures to it.  The pictures could be edited, and you could add text boxes and stickers to the project as well.  This could be used in the classroom in many different ways.  I could see myself using this during a reading lesson.  I could have students design a template to tell the story of a book they read.  I could also use this app with science as well.  Students could group different kingdoms together and shows pictures of animals in that kingdom.  This isn't my absolute favorite app we have reviewed so far, but there are ways I could incorporate it into my classroom and use it for learning.

Adobe Photoshop Express

I was unaware this app was available for iPad, iPhone, etc.  I could see myself using this app for personal use, as well as in the classroom.  The video showed the app is very easy to use.  Like Adobe Photoshop on the computer, most of the editing options were the same.  I find it very helpful when they make apps similar to computer versions.  I could use this in my classroom if I could a photo online I wanted to incorporate in my classroom.  I could download it and edit it whatever way I wanted to.  It would be fun to have pictures up in the classroom that relate to the lessons we are learning.  I believe it is important to change pictures around the classroom and this app could help me do this.  I also could use this app if I wanted to take pictures of my students for a class list.  The ways I could use this app in my classroom are endless.

Dictionary App

I actually have used this app in the past and already had it downloaded on my iPad.  I have used it in my past classes for reading assignments to look up words I did not understand, and I used the thesaurus part when writing papers.  This shows this is an app for all ages and one I will always have on my iPad. 

One of the aspects of the app I think is handy is when searching for a word.  If a student did not know how to spell a word, if they sounded it out and typed that, they could see a list of words similar to what they typed and find the word they are looking for.  This is extremely useful for students who are just beginning to expand their vocabulary.  Like the video explained, I do believe the app lacks in some areas.  Some words may not be found.  The app probably has to always update to incorporate new words.

There are many different ways I could use this app in the classroom.  I think the word of the day part of the app could be used in the classroom.  As a student, some of my teachers did word of the day and I always looked forward to seeing what the new word was.  I could incorporate different areas of study using the word of the day like having students write a sentence or short essay incorporating the word of the day in their journals.  Again, I believe this app is useful not only in the classroom, but for every day life.

My Spelling Test App

I went ahead and downloaded this on my iPad.  I feel this is a very useful tool in the classroom.  It incorporates technology into the classroom well.  It can also get the students up and moving by going up to the board and physically moving the letters to spell the word, as well as work on fine motor skills.  I enjoying teaching younger grades (K-2nd), so I could definitely see myself using this app in my classroom.  It was also nice to see how it shortened time in making a spelling test.  The teacher said it only took him about 4 minutes to make out the test.  I believe this app is just as good as a written test.  The student gets a sentence to see how the word is used, as well as see the word as he or she types it.  The great thing about apps are that children can basically use them anytime they have an iPad.  Therefor, a child could be practicing his or her spelling words riding down the road in the car.  I really enjoyed this app and can see myself using it for weekly spelling tests.

George Simens's blog: elearnspace

I read and commented on George Simen's blog: "Wearables and Learning." (For some reason when I click on comments though, it does not show up.  Not completely for sure why, I've posted my comment three times.) Anyways, I am guilty of a wearable.  I wear a Garmin Vivofit2 and keep up with my stats daily.  I am aware it is not completely accurate. For example, it keeps track of your steps daily.  I have multiple times been sitting on the couch, burping my son and hear it ring that I have met my step goal for the day (remind you by sitting on the couch.) I have learned that the motion of burping my son gives my Garmin the idea I am actively moving and "taking steps." Even though they might not be completely accurate, I do believe we can learn about ourselves using them.  Even more than other devices like cell phones.  It tells me my sleep at night as well as the calories I have burned that day.  I love my Garmin and learning about myself by using it.

Link to George Simen's blog incase you wanted to read what I was commenting about!!

http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/

Safari vs. Rover

I have used Safari for many years.  I have a MacBook and iPad at home.  At work, I have a PC so I use Chrome.  I have become very familiar with Safari and use it multiple times a day.  I had never heard of Rover.  It was interesting to learn about it and its many different features.  Like Safari, it could be used in the classroom to view videos or anything one finds on the internet.  A downfall to Rover stated is that it uses so much megabytes, that only one class could use it.  The video states that it would have the internet so slow to a crawl.  If a school has 20-30 classrooms in it, this would simply not work.  Sometimes it is best to stick with what one knows. I would prefer to continue to use Safari over Rover personally.

I-Thoughts

I am not the most tech-savvy, so I am still working on figuring out I-Thoughts.  I do believe Mind-Mapping tools are great and would love to learn more about them.  As stated on the webpage, one has to play around with it quite a bit to actually feel comfortable and confident working the app.  It might take me longer to learn this app than the others we are learning about. 

I believe once I learned exactly how to use it, it could definitely be implemented in a classroom.  I think there are all kinds of ways once could use it.  We could use it during a Reading or Language arts lesson.  Students could state the different events and characters in a story.  Students could also make their own story or book as a class using I-Thoughts.

I could also see using this application with Science.  The students could all make a guess about how an experiment result.  Students could also use this to have notes from chapters in their books.  They could use it as a study guide to help with tests.  Again, I would definitely have to "study" more about this app before I implement it in the classroom.

Box.net

I can really see myself using Box.  At the moment, my home computer has been giving me trouble.  Therefor I mainly use my iPad.  Before learning about different iPad apps like pages, I would have to go to my office at work and use that computer to work on anything Microsoft related.  By using Box, I can store all my documents and paper there and access them anytime to work on them.  I can create folders for each class, and I can use any papers I used in school as documents in my portfolio as I apply for jobs.  Box will definitely be on my list of favorites on my computer!!

Pages vs. Word

Pages vs word

It was so interesting to learn about Pages.  I have had an iPad for many years and have never even noticed this app.  I use my iPad for everything except for Microsoft, because I knew it didn’t have those applications.  I am so glad apple developed apps similar to Microsoft.  I thought Pages was very similar to word.  The first similarity I saw was how the font was manipulated.  Font could be changed by size, color, alignment, etc.  The same was to change this in pages is similar to that in Word.  The second similarity I saw was adding pictures.  In Word, I have added pictures to documents I use as handouts.  Pages allows you to do this same thing.  Lastly, Pages is similar to word for inserting graphs.  Like word, Pages allows one to add a graph, as well as add the information that relates to the map so one can read and understand it.  One difference I noticed with pages versus Word was that word I am always saving my work so it is not lost.  In the tutorial, it was stated that you do not have to do this.  Your document was continuously being saved.  I can’t begin to state how many times I have had to redo a paper because I forgot to save as I went.  This is a great aspect pages has that word does not.  The iPad influences these both positively and negatively.  I take my iPad most places, so this allows me to work on Pages anytime and anywhere.  The con to this is that I cannot always print, unless I can use Air to hookup to a printer.  I enjoyed learning about Pages and definitely see myself using it in the future.

New blogger

Completely new to this so trying to figure it out!!